The Ultimate Fall 2012 Nail Polish Guide: 20 Collections to CraveEssie Yogaga Collection
Vibe: In the first of two fall collections for the brand, Essie went for a fitness theme with her collection of fairly classic fall colors

The Ultimate Fall 2012 Nail Polish Guide: 20 Collections to CraveEssie Stylenomics
Vibe: This is the trendier sister of Essie’s fall Yogaga collection, but since this is Essie, it’s pretty classic/classy. The theme, as per a press release: “It’s no secret, women are major players in the economy, and what fashionable purse-strings they hold! Wise to the credit debacles of the past, they are playing it safe in spending and in style.” Nail polish as economic statement? We’ll buy it.

The Ultimate Fall 2012 Nail Polish Guide: 20 Collections to CraveOrly Fired Up
Vibe: One of the better collection descriptions we’ve seen this season: “A dynamic collection created to showcase inner power. High gloss shades mimic the inner workings of the human body, providing a natural explosion of color.” Inner workings of the human body? Regardless of what mental image that brings up, every single one of these colors is fantastic.

The Ultimate Fall 2012 Nail Polish Guide: 20 Collections to CraveTom Ford
Vibe: Per Mr.Tom Ford via Vogue: “These colors have a twist of the perverse to them.” Also, the color names both end in “x.” Well done.

The Ultimate Fall 2012 Nail Polish Guide: 20 Collections to CraveZoya 2012 NYFW Designer Collection
Vibe: As the name suggests, this collection was inspired by everything New York Fashion Week. Two of the shades are literally ripped from the runways–based off of colors Zoya did for Peter Som’s and Mohapatra’s shows.

The Ultimate Fall 2012 Nail Polish Guide: 20 Collections to CraveZoya 2012 NYFW Designer Collection
Vibe: As the name suggests, this collection was inspired by everything New York Fashion Week. Two of the shades are literally ripped from the runways

The Ultimate Fall 2012 Nail Polish Guide: 20 Collections to CraveIllamasqua Generation Q
Vibe: This collection’s theme is “Beauty has no age limits.” Gothy black and deep scarlet are indeed timeless and ageless.

The Ultimate Fall 2012 Nail Polish Guide: 20 Collections to CraveEstee Lauder Pure Color Beyond Black
Vibe: Estee’s polish collections are kind of to-die-for this season. Perfect gleamy metallics. This is one of two collections for fall 2012. Both are meant to evoke Paris at night.

The Ultimate Fall 2012 Nail Polish Guide: 20 Collections to CraveNicole by OPI
Vibe: Influenced by runway trends like military jackets and brocade.

As we roll into October, the days are already shorter and the nights a bit cooler. You know what that means: It's time for the fall nail polish collections to drop!

Getting sick to death of neons and soft nudes? If so, you are going to love fall. There are a lot of rich jewel tones, the now-ubiquitous metallics, and even some fun new fancy top coats (think: crocodile effect). Just to make sure you know all your options, we've pulled together a guide to the best collections we've seen for fall so far.

A few early trends we've noticed while digging through all our bottles? Wine, eggplant, oxblood–no matter what you call it, you better have a few in your nail arsenal this season. And yes, grey is everywhere. Nail polish designers have gleefully embraced 50 Shades of Grey just like everyone else has. And rusty, earthy shimmers are also on our radar this season. Pastels and neons? Nowhere to be found.